When Ridgefield mom Linda Queenan needs new outfits for her three youngsters, she heads to the Children's Cottage at the Carriage House in Ridgefield.

"I've been shopping there for six years," said Queenan, whose children are 7, 5 and 2 years old. "Maura carries quality, high-end clothing. I love it there. It's literally where 99 percent of my kids' clothes come from."

Maura Sullivan opened the Children's Cottage consignment shop nine years ago. She is "highly selective" about the items she takes on consignment, carrying children's labels including Baby LuLu, Heart Strings and Crew Cuts.

"I do the sifting through for my customers, do the quality control," Sullivan said, "and I think it's been appreciated."

Sullivan has some 1,900 consignors who bring items to the 1,200-square-foot store in the lower level of Nancy O's at 23 Catoonah St.

Four years ago, she added women's apparel and an equestrian line.

"People kept asking, `Do you carry paddock boots?' " Sullivan said. "For the customers not wanting to buy new apparel for the one week they'll be at a riding camp, this is perfect."

From riding boots to jodhpurs, to chaps and half-chaps, Sullivan offers what her customers are looking for. She recently returned from an equestrian trade show in Pennsylvania and plans to begin carrying a line of new equestrian offerings.

"This is horse country," Sullivan noted. "There are farms and camps throughout the area. I have a large recreational customer demand for equestrian clothing."

Sullivan attributes her success at the Children's Cottage, while other businesses were closing around it, to its economic viability.

"Families needed to control budgets, save money, but they didn't want to give up what they like," she said. "They could come here and buy Janie & Jack, Sperry, and Vineyard Vines label clothing at a fraction of the cost."